Halloween And Other Fun Stuff

Life has suddenly taken a jet speed…. So many things are happening and I’am not getting enough time to record it. I can’t believe we are at the end of October. I love this time of the year. The weather is still good most days even though the nights and mornings are getting really chilly. We are taking advantage of the good weather till we can.

We have been having back-to-back housewarming parties. Then last weekend was Daughter’s birthday party. We had booked a nearby place. They took care of everything. We only had to reach there on time with a cake and return gifts 🙂 . That was pretty easy. Even though I would love hosting her parties at home but the hubby is not too fond of entertaining 25+ kids at home. And I have to admit doing the party outside really takes all the burden off the shoulders. Especially this year when our plates are already too full !! So I made a deal that till the time she invites her whole class and the neighborhood kids we can do it at some kids party place. Once she starts inviting just some of her close friends, we can do it at home. Till then we can do it hubby’s way. Daughter and her friends had loads of fun playing in their indoor play area. They played some miniature golf and also did a train ride. So all in all a fun time was had by one and all.

Hubby has also been super busy with his office work. We hardly get some quality time together. Inspite of him working from home quite a bit, we hardly get time to talk these days. He works and I go about doing my daily chores – cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping. The whole nine yards. Once Daughter gets back home, the craziness multiplies. Generally she gets home around 4 and by 8:30 she is in bed. In those 4.5 hours, we have snack,homework, playtime, activity on two days, dinner, bath and story time. Trust me they are crazy rush hour time for us. Previously after putting Daughter to bed the hubby and I would sit together and relax. But nowadays mostly he is working or we are too exhausted.

But amidst the present chaotic life, we try to do things together. Like last weekend, on Sunday we went to a pumpkin patch. Hubby and Daughter picked two pumpkins and then we carved it. It was good family fun time. Daughter carved a smiley face pumpkin and the hubby did a ghost 🙂 . It was fun to light it and watch after darkness fell over.

The pumpkin carved by Daughter!!

The pumpkin carved by the hubby 🙂 !!

Most of the houses have such wonderful Halloween or fall decorations. We’ve also put up some but I guess we need to buy some more next year. I don’t know this time of the year makes me so happy. The fall decorations are out everywhere and very soon there will be the Christmas decorations. Already some of the stores have their Christmas tree out and decorated. It’s just such a happy and festive time. Then there are so many holidays to look forward to.
Tomorrow is Halloween and for a change Daughter has decided to be a Tutu Devil. We already did Trick or Treating once at the mall last week. Tomorrow she has a Halloween parade at school and then we have a community trick or treating.

Anyway lots of fun things to look forward to and amidst all busy weeks and weekends, I intend to be regular here as well. I need to stop here today and head out the door to pick up Daughter and then she has swimming. After that we need to get treats for the trick or treaters. Phew!! It’s gonna be a long evening.Happy Halloween to all of you!!

Bye Bye !! See you guys soon !!

Birthday Letter !!

To My Beautiful Darling Daughter,

I can still recall everything so vividly that it makes me feel it was yesterday when a bundle was handed to me. Yet when I hugged and kissed you today, there stood a big six year old. Can I say that the last six years passed in a blink of an eye …. Nope !! I have enough greys to prove that along with the seemingly smooth sailing days, there were also some not-so-smooth days as well. Well what is parenthood without some greys !! But having said that, I must also confess that you have been a very low maintenance child. You have mostly been a perfectly little angelic child with no terrible-twos or temper tantrums. As far as I can remember there have never been any complaints regarding you. Only praises 🙂 !!

Today on the eve of your birthday, when I sit to write this letter, I can see what an amazing little lady you are growing up to be. You are a lovely little girl. You are smart and confident. You are extremely social yet sometimes you get a little shy. You want everybody to be your friend. Whenever you see one of your friends lonely, you always go and try to play with that friend. And when someone refuses to play with you, it makes you sad.

You love to sing and dance like most little girls. I must say you are also blessed with a beautiful voice. I love to hear you sing when you think no one is watching. You are like a fluttering little butterfly so full of energy ready to rock the world.

All your teachers love you. You are extremely well mannered for your age. You almost never forget the ‘golden words’ ( sorry, please, thank you). So far I have always had your teachers beaming over you. You have always been way ahead of your class. Your reading is something that amazes everyone who hears you read for the first time. It’s only when they hear you read they understand I’am not kidding when I say you can read just like any of us. I hope books always remain your best friend and you remain an avid reader forever.

Just like you are a beautiful girl outside, your inside is as beautiful. This year, when we went to India, you were surprised at the concept of house helps/maids. You have forever seen that each one cleans after them selves. To you it’s quite normal that your mommy/daddy does the house work. In India when you saw someone else doing dishes and doing the laundry, it made you sad. I hope you are always sensitive to other people’s problems.

I want to write so much more but I’am so overwhelmed with emotions that the rightful words seem to have deserted me. I can’t believe my little girl is not so little anymore. I want you to know not just today but everyday, that no matter what your daddy and I love you. I know you think that we are super heroes who can solve all your problems and can take care of all your worries. I’am glad that so far we have been able to put your little mind at rest but I also know that it won’t be for very long now. As you step into the real world
I know the problems will change in shape and magnitude, I hope you will be able to stand up for yourself. But always remember we are right here if you need us.

I remember the day you were born, I was so taken by your perfection. I was so possessive and had difficulty sharing you. I always wanted you wrapped in my arms. There was a fierce need to protect you. I felt just like the proverbial cancerian with tenacious claws ready to pounce on any eminent danger.

I love you my beautiful baby girl !!! You have brought a new meaning to our lives. It is because of you, I have learnt to give unselfishly. I have learnt to be patient. It is because of you, I now know how it feels to be a mommy. You are my biggest blessing. Don’t grow up so fast, sweetie !!! Happy Birthday Honey…. Many Many Many Happy Returns of the Day !!!

Love you forever,
Mommy

Living Our Dream

We have been living our dream for the last three weeks and lets just say living it is way better than dreaming it. The hubby and I have for what seems forever wanted to live in our own home and not in a rented one. A place where we would grow into and make it a home. Few years back when we still had big dreams of moving back to India, the first thing that we did was to buy a duplex apartment in one of our favorite locations in Calcutta ( I still have trouble saying Kolkata ). Our hearts lay in buying a house but the location that we had in mind was simply untouchable when it came to buying a house. So having a duplex in one of the choicest apartment communities sure made us feel good. Soon we loaded our laptops with home designing softwares. But as luck would have it, we never really moved back. So never stayed there barring a couple of nights during our last visit to India. So as of today the home sits empty ready to be sold.

So when we signed the contract to build our home here, I was literally scared to be excited in the fear of jinxing it. I had this weird feeling, that something would go wrong or we would have to move to some other place. Anyway once we moved here, the feeling was inexplicable. Waking up to the sound of birds and being greeted by the green hills each morning when I open the blinds is an amazing way to start my day. Seeing the sun, set in the faraway hills is another sight that I will never get tired of. Daughter running around the yard and chasing the rabbits, her hair flying in the wind and her gleeful laughter echoing in my ears are sounds that always make me smile. The friendly neighbors who welcomed us in the community. Trust me this place feels like heaven to me. I have forever longed for a home and to have this as our very first home, I couldn’t be happier.

Talking about Daughter, she is having a blast ever since we moved here. This is a very kid friendly neighborhood and you would be surprised at the number of girls between the ages of 4-11. So every evening I have kids pouring in my house ringing the bell asking if my Daughter can play. They have loads of fun playing indoor or outdoor depending upon the weather. But luckily we have been blessed to have some beautiful days lately.

As for the hubby and me, we have been busy. Yep we have been exhausted trying to unpack and get everything in their rightful place. Trying to squeeze in time to clean the old apartment as much as possible was also not an easy job. But thankfully that’s done and we have handed over the keys. The last few days we have slept the moment our heads touched the pillows. But slowly and steadily things are falling in place and we are getting back in routine. Inspite of all the tiredness and the backaches, there has been an immense sense of satisfaction. All our travel souvenirs and the endless knick-knacks are finally seeing the light of day. Still there is a lot to do and I’am sure it’s going to take a while. There are walls to be painted, endless things to buy, pictures to be hung but we are in no rush. We’ll take it slow and easy.

From this weekend on starts the saga of housewarming parties. Now that everything is more or less unpacked, we have decided to formally invite friends over. All my weekends will be packed with entertaining guests. Some local and some out of state. It’s such an awesome feeling to do the things that we have been dreaming for so long.

That’s all that has been going on at my end. Hope you guys are well and enjoying the festive season. Happy Dushera to all of you !!